Organizers of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing have published a list of “prohibited objects” in the Olympic village where athletes will stay. Bibles are among the objects that will not be allowed. Organizers have cited “security reasons” and have prohibited athletes from bearing any kind of religious symbol at Olympic facilities.

Some are calling for a boycott of the Olympics over this ban. One reason is there is not a similar ban on the Koran. I doubt we will boycott the Olympics but I wonder if it will be a campaign issue. The news is barely covering the story so it may not be much.

I think athletes should be able to have a Bible or religious symbol and China should provide better security if they have security concerns.

I say we transcribe the Bible, one word each, onto MOABs and then air drop it into China. Spread the word.

Well the Bible would be left in the room of the athlete yes? Or perhaps in their gear bag at the side of the track? Its not like anybody will start holding a Bible over their head after winning. What religious articles, athletes have in their possession, should be the athletes own personal business, not that of authorities in Beijing, as long as they are not attempting to make a forceful public statement with it.

I can't say there was any Olympics, at least in my memory, that involved athletes doing anything involving religious articles, which could be regarded as controversial. Why this sudden concern in Beijing? Are they worried about their own Muslim population and their reactions?

The Bible as an instrument of violence?

I never heard of anything like that before .